Store To Appeal Order to Repaint

A local electronics repair store has vowed to appeal an order by Galway City Council that it repaint its distinctive exterior.

City planners have refused an application by Electronic Partner on Eglinton Street to retain its luminous green paintwork, deeming the colour scheme “excessively obtrusive”.

The decision follows a similar order from the council in relation to the mural on Claddagh Jewellers on Mainguard Street.

Ruling on the Electronic Partner paintwork, the council said that, while the building at 19-21 Eglinton Street is not a protected structure, it is located within the city core Architectural Conversation Area (ACA).

Planners also stated that the colour scheme does not integrate into the streetscape and affects the character of the area, and that it would detrimentally affect the appearance and integrity of the ACA, and would set an “undesirable precedent” for future proposals of a similar nature.

The development also compromises the provisions of the Galway City Development Plan 2011-2017 for shop fronts and advertisements, and is “not in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development” of the area, according to planners.

Galway City Heritage Officer Dr Higgins also opposed the retention of the paintwork, and advised that a much more subtle colour scheme should be adopted in the streetscape, “which contains many fine building of 19th and early 20th century date and which are of architectural merit”.

Dr Higgins also expressed concern over the existing signage on the building, which he said should be changed to reflect the existing character of the street and should include some Irish.

In their submission on the retention of the paintwork, An TaisceGalway pointed to the city council’s own Shop Front and Signage Guidelines, which state that “bold primary colours and strong colours should be avoided”.

“While encouraging vibrant and interesting colour choices, colours should complement rather than clash with the neighbouring properties or stand out too strongly,” the guidelines read.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, Electronic Partner Managing Director Michael Rademacher said the company, which currently employs 16 people and is set to recruit a further 14 by the end of the year, would be appealing the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála.

Company director Robert Chocianowicz said the distinctive colour scheme is not only to ensure the visibility of the store, but that it is the company colour and matches its logo, staff t-shirts and website colour scheme. “It’s much easier for the customers to find us as well,” he said.

“The thing is, for example, if the post office colour were to be maintained that would be green as well,” he said. “It’s bringing a vibe to the street, not just grey, and it’s not an offending colour.”